WATCH: This is how suncream actually protects your skin

This passerby is overawed by the appearance suncream takes under UV light

Most of us think of suncream as a sticky obligation that only serves to make us appear even whiter on holiday.

But this short film by artist Thomas Leveritt dramatically highlights just how important a pot of SPF is in protecting skin from the sun's harmful rays.

Using a UV camera, Leveritt was able to show passers-by just how the sun sees their skin. When it comes to pale skins, this means thousands of freckles below the surface and often, signs of dehydration. Darker skins meanwhile, mostly manage to escape the harmful effects of the sun that so many of us worship.

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How the sun sees you, by Thomas Leveritt:

Then the video demonstrates how lenses in glasses becomes black and opaque in the face of ultraviolet light and, amazingly, so does sunscreen. It's fascinating to see the stage make-up like form that the SPF cream takes on the participants' faces - and their reactions.

So next time you're wondering if you can face the hassle of applying yet another dose of suncream, remember this video and the answer is clear.